Signal output circuit, shift register, output signal generating method, display device driving circuit, and display device

ABSTRACT

A signal output circuit of one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a unit stage of a shift register. The signal output circuit includes a set-reset flip-flop, and a signal generation circuit for generating an output signal by loading or blocking a clock signal in accordance with a signal inputted thereto. The signal output circuit is arranged such that: the signal generation circuit receives a signal outputted from the flip-flop and the output signal fed back to the signal generating circuit; and the output signal is fed back to a reset input of the flip-flop. This makes it possible to achieve a reduction in the area of the circuit and a simplification of the circuit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shift register that is provided in acircuit for driving a display device (e.g., a liquid crystal displaydevice).

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 13 shows an arrangement of a single block (unit stage) of aconventional shift register.

As shown in FIG. 13, the single block SRn of the shift register includesan RS flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as “RF-FF”) 103 a, twoselection circuits 105 a and 106 a, an analog switch (hereinafterreferred to as “ASW”) 108 a, an N-channel MOS transistor 110 a, and twoinverters 112 a and 113 a. The LR line is supplied with a shiftdirection signal, and the LRB line is supplied with an inversion signalobtained by inverting the shift direction signal. The CK1 line issupplied with a first clock signal, and the CK2 is supplied with asecond clock signal.

The selection circuit 105 a is arranged so as to include two analogswitches ASW, and includes four input terminals p, q, i, and j and anoutput terminal X. When the input terminals p and q are supplied with ahigh input and a low input, respectively, the input terminal i and theoutput terminal X are connected to each other, so that a signal that isinputted to the input terminal i is outputted from the output terminalX. On the other hand, when the input terminals p and q are supplied witha low input and a high input, respectively, the input terminal j and theoutput terminal X are connected to each other, so that a signal that isinputted to the input terminal j is outputted from the output terminalX. Similarly, the selection circuit 106 a includes four input terminalsp, q, i, and j, and an output terminal Y. When the input terminals p andq are supplied with a high input and a low input, respectively, theinput terminal i and the output terminal Y are connected to each other,so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal i is outputtedfrom the output terminal Y. On the other hand, when the input terminalsp and q are supplied with a low input and a high input, respectively,the input terminal j and the output terminal Y are connected to eachother, so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal j isoutputted from the output terminal Y.

The ASW 108 a is constituted by a P-channel transistor and an N-channeltransistor, and includes two control terminals g and G and twoconductive terminals T and U. When the control terminals g is suppliedwith a high input or the control terminal G is supplied with a lowinput, the two conductive terminals T and U are connected to each other.When a gate of the N-channel MOS transistor 110 a is supplied with ahigh input, electricity is conducted between its source and drain.

It should be noted here that the input terminal i of the selectioncircuit 105 a and the input terminal j of the selection circuit 106 a,and a node Cn−1 (output of the left block) are connected to one another,and that the input terminal j of the selection circuit 105 a and theinput terminal i of the selection circuit 106 a, and a node Cn+1 (outputof the right block) are connected to one another. Further, the inputterminals p and q of the selection circuit 105 a are connected to the LRline and the LRB line, respectively. Similarly, the input terminals pand q of the selection circuit 106 a are connected to the LR line andthe LRB line, respectively.

Further, the output terminal X of the selection circuit 105 a isconnected to a set bar input (SB) of the RS-FF 103 a via the inverter112 a, and the output terminal Y of the selection circuit 106 a isconnected to a reset (R) of the RS-FF 103 a. Further, an output (Q) ofthe RS-FF 103 a, the control terminal g of the ASW 108 a, and an inputof the inverter 113 a are connected to one another. Further, an outputof the inverter 113 a, the control terminal G of the ASW 108 a, and thegate of the MOS transistor 110 a are connected to one another. Further,the source of the MOS transistor 110 a is connected to Vssd (lowpotential); the drain of the MOS transistor 110 a, a node Cn (output ofthe present block), and the conductive terminal U of the ASW 108 a areconnected to one another. The conductive terminal T of the ASW 108 a isconnected to the CK2 line. The RS-FF 103 a has INTB that is suppliedwith an initial bar (INTB) signal, by which the output Q is initialized.For example, a low INTB signal causes the output Q of the RS-FF 103 a tobe initialized to low.

Basic operation (from t1 at which the output of the left block becomeshigh to t4 at which the output of the right block becomes low) of thesingle block SRn of the shift register will be described below withreference to a flow chart of FIG. 15. During this period, the LR lineand the LRB line are supplied with a high shift direction signal and alow shift direction signal, respectively, so that a rightward shift ismade. That is, a shift is made from the left block SRn−1 to the rightblock SRn+1 through the present block SRn.

First, since the LR line is high and the LRB line is low, the inputterminals p and q of the selection circuit 105 a are supplied with ahigh input and a low input, respectively, so that a signal that isinputted to the input terminal i is outputted from the output terminal X(=node Sn). Similarly, the input terminals p and q of the selectioncircuit 106 a are supplied with a high input and a low input,respectively, so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal iis outputted from the output terminal Y (=node Rn).

At t1 where the node Cn−1 receives a high output signal from the leftblock SRn−1, the output terminal X of the selection circuit 105 abecomes high. At this time, the node Cn+1 is low, so that the outputterminal Y of the selection circuit 106 a remains low. Since the outputterminal X is high and the output terminal Y is low, the SB and R(reset) of the RS-FF 103 a are each supplied with a low input, so thatthe output Q of the RS-FF 103 a becomes high. With this, whereas the ASW108 a is turned on (the control terminal g becomes high and the controlterminal G becomes low), the MOS transistor 110 a is turned off.Therefore, the node Cn is supplied with a low output signal from the CK2line via the conductive terminals T and U of the ASW 108 a. When the CK2line becomes high afterward (between t1 and t2), the node Cn is alsosupplied with a high output.

Then, at t2 where the output signal from the left block SRn−1 becomeslow and the node Cn−1 receives the low output signal, the outputterminal X of the selection circuit 105 a becomes low. At this time, thenode Cn+1 remains low, so that the output terminal Y of the selectioncircuit 106 a also remains low. Since the output terminals X and Y arelow, the SB and R (reset) of the RS-FF 103 a are supplied with a highinput and a low input, respectively, so that the output Q of the RS-FF103 a remains as high as currently is. Therefore, the ASW 108 a remainsturned on and the conductive terminals T and U are connected to eachother, so that the high output signal supplied from the CK2 line at t2is outputted to the node Cn.

Then, at t3 where the output signal from the right block SRn+1 becomeshigh and the node Cn+1 receives with the high output signal, the outputterminal Y of the selection circuit 106 a becomes high. At this time,the node Cn−1 (output of the left block SRn−1) remains low, so that theoutput terminal X of the selection circuit 105 a also remains low. Sincethe output terminal X remains low and the output terminal Y becomeshigh, the SB of the RS-FF 103 a remains high and the R (reset) of theRS-FF 103 a is supplied with a high input, so that the output Q of theRS-FF 103 a becomes low. With this, the ASW 108 a is turned off (thecontrol terminal g becomes low and the control terminal G becomes high),so that the conductive terminals T and U are disconnected from eachother. At this time, the inverter 113 a causes the gate of the N-channelMOS transistor 110 a to be high, so that electricity is conductedbetween the source and drain of the MOS transistor 110 a. With this, thenode Cn is supplied with Vssd (low output signal).

Then, at t4 where the output signal from the right block SRn+1 becomeslow and the node Cn+1 receives the low output signal, the outputterminal Y of the selection circuit 106 a becomes low. At this time, thenode Cn−1 (output of the left block SRn−1) remains low, so that theoutput terminal X of the selection circuit 105 a also remains low. Sincethe output terminal X remains low and the output terminal Y becomes low,the SB of the RS-FF 103 a remains low and the R (reset) of the SR-FF 103a is supplied with a low input, so that the output Q of the RS-FF 103 aremains high. Therefore, the ASW 108 a remains turned off. Theconductive terminals T and U remain disconnected from each other. TheMOS transistor 110 a remains turned on. The node Cn continues to besupplied with Vssd (low output signal).

An arrangement of the whole shift register will be described below byusing FIG. 14 with reference to the arrangement of each of the blocks.It should be noted that the shift register can switch between arightward shift and a leftward shift.

As shown in FIG. 14, the shift register 101 includes blocks 1 throughSRn−1, SRn, and SRd (dummy block).

The block SRn includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as“RS-FF) 103 a, two selection circuits 105 a and 106 a, an analog switch(hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 108 a, an N-channel MOS transistor110 a, two inverters 112 a and 113 a, and a DELAY circuit. Similarly,the block SRn−1 includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as“RS-FF) 103 b, two selection circuits 105 b and 106 b, an analog switch(hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 108 b, an N-channel MOS transistor110 b, and two inverters 112 b and 113 b. Similarly, the block SRd(dummy block) includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as“RS-FF) 103 d, two selection circuits 105 d and 106 d, an analog switch(hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 108 d, an N-channel MOS transistor110 d, and two inverters 112 d and 113 d.

The RS-FFs (103 a, 103 b, 103 d) are arranged in the same manner. Theselection circuits (105 a, 106 a, 105 b, 106 b, 105 d, 106 d) arearranged in the same manner. The analog switches ASW (108 a, 108 b, 108d) are arranged in the same manner. The N-channel MOS transistors (110a, 110 b, 110 d) are arranged in the same manner. The inverters (112 a,113 a, 112 b, 113 b, 112 d, 113 d) are arranged in the same manner.Furthermore, each of those blocks (SRn−1, SRn, SRd) which constitute theshift register is basically arranged in the same manner as the singleblock (SRn) of the shift register of FIG. 13, except for the way theinput terminals i and j of the selection circuits are connected and theway the CK1 and CK2 lines are connected. In view of this, the followingdescribes the way the blocks are connected to one another, as well asthe way the input terminals i and j of the selection circuits areconnected and the way the CK1 and CK2 lines are connected.

An input terminal i of the selection circuit 105 b of the block SRn−1,an input terminal j of the selection circuit 106 b, and an output Cn−2(output of a block provided on the left side of the block SRn−1) areconnected to one another, and an input terminal j of the selectioncircuit 105 b, an input terminal i of the selection circuit 106 b, andan output Cn of the block SRn are connected to one another. Further, theASW 108 a has a conductive terminal T connected to the CK2 line. Aninput terminal i of the selection circuit 105 a of the block SRn, aninput terminal j of the selection circuit 106 a, and an output Cn−1 ofthe block SRn−1 are connected to one another. Further, the selectioncircuit 105 a has an input terminal j connected to the SP line via astart pulse switch SW117, and the selection circuit 106 a has an inputterminal i connected to an output Cd of the block SRd. Further, the ASW108 a has a conductive terminal T connected to the CK1 line. Theselection circuit 105 d of the block SRd has an input terminal iconnected to the output Cn of the block SRn, and has an input terminal jconnected to Vssd (low potential). The selection circuit 106 d has aninput terminal j connected to Vdd (high potential). The selectioncircuit 106 d has an input terminal i connected to an R (reset) of theRS-FF 103 a of the block SRn via the DELAY circuit. Further, the ASW 108d has a conductive terminal T connected to the CK2 line.

The LR line is supplied with a shift direction signal. The LRB line issupplied with an inversion signal obtained by inverting the shiftdirection signal. The SP line is supplied with a start pulse signal. TheCK1 line is supplied with a first clock signal. The CK2 line is suppliedwith a second clock signal. The INT line is supplied with an INT signal(for initializing each of the RS-FFs).

Operation of the whole shift register will be described below by usingtiming charts of FIGS. 16 and 17 with reference to the above-describedarrangement of the shift register and the above-described operation ofeach of the blocks.

Although not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the initial reset is performedregardless of the shift direction. That is, when the INT line issupplied with a high INT signal, an INTB of each of the RS-FFs aresupplied with a low input, so that the respective outputs (Qn−1, Qn, andQd) of the RS-FF 103 (103 a, 103 b, and 103 d) become low. At this time,the respective control terminals g of the ASWs 108 become low, so thatthe conductive terminals T and U of each of the ASWs are disconnectedfrom each other. Therefore, each of the MOS transistors 110 is turnedon, so that each of the outputs (Cn−1, Cn, and Cd) is supplied with Vssd(low output signal). After that, the INT signal is set back to low.

Described first is a case where a leftward shift is made by supplyingthe LR line and the LRB line with a low shift direction signal and ahigh shift direction signal, respectively (i.e., a case where a shift ismade from the block SRn to the block SRn−1). Such a shift will bedescribed below with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 16.

First, since the LR line is low and the LRB line is high, the inputterminals p and q of the selection circuit 105 a are supplied with a lowinput and a high input, respectively, so that a signal that is inputtedto the input terminal j is outputted from the output terminal X.Similarly, the input terminals p and q of the selection circuit 106 aare also supplied with a low input and a high input, respectively, sothat a signal that is inputted to the input terminal j is outputted fromthe output terminal Y. Further, since the LR line is low and the LRBline is high, the SW 117 is on and the SW 118 is off.

At t1 where the SP line is supplied with a high start pulse signal, thestart pulse signal is supplied to the block SRn via the SW 117, so thatthe input terminal j of the selection circuit 105 a becomes high. Withthis, the X (Sn) of the block SRn becomes high. Since the output Cn−1 ofthe block SRn−1 (input terminal j of the selection circuit 106 a) is lowdue to the initialization, the Y of the block SRn also becomes low.Since the X of the block SRn is high and the Y of the block SRn is low,the SB and reset R (Rn) of the RS-FF 103 a are each supplied with a lowinput, so that the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 103 a becomes high. Withthis, whereas the ASW 108 a is turned on (the control terminal g becomeshigh and the control terminal G becomes low), the MOS transistor 110 ais turned off. Therefore, the output Cn is supplied with a low outputsignal from the CK1 line via the conductive terminals T and U of the SW108 a.

At t2 where the start pulse signal becomes low, the input terminal j ofthe selection circuit 105 a becomes low, so that the X and Y of theblock SRn become low. That is, the SB and R (reset) of the RS-FF 103 aare supplied with a high input and a low input, respectively, so thatthe output Q of the RS-FF 103 a remains as high as currently is.Therefore, the output Cn continues to be supplied with the low outputsignal from the CK1 line.

Then, at t3 where the (clock) signal CK1 from the CK1 line becomes high,the output Cn becomes high. With this, the input terminal j of theselection circuit 105 b of the block SRn−1 becomes high. At this time,the input terminal j (output of the left block SRn−2) of the selectioncircuit 106 b of the block SRn−1 is low due to the initialization.Therefore, the X (Sn−1) of the block SRn−1 becomes high and the Y of theblock SRn−1 becomes low. The SB and reset R (Rn−1) of the RS-FF 103 bare each supplied with a low input, so that the output Q (Qn−1) of theRS-FF 103 b becomes high. With this, the ASW 108 b is turned on, so thatthe output Cn−1 is supplied with a low output signal from the CK2 line.

Then, at t4 where the (clock) signal CK1 from the CK1 line becomes low,the output Cn becomes low. With this, the input terminal j of theselection circuit 105 b of the block SRn−1 becomes low. Since the inputterminal j of the selection circuit 106 b remains low, the X (Sn−1) andY of the block SRn−1 become low. The SB and R (reset) of the RS-FF 103 bare supplied with a high input and a low input, respectively, so thatthe output Q (Qn−1) of the RS-FF 103 b remains as high as currently is.Further, since the ASW 108 b remains turned on, the output Cn−1continues to be supplied with the low output signal from the CK2 line.

Then, at t5 where the (clock) signal CK2 from the CK2 line becomes high,the output Cn−1 becomes high. With this, the input terminal j of theselection circuit 106 a of the block SRn becomes high. Since the inputterminal j of the selection circuit 105 a remains low, the X (Sn) of theblock SRn is low and the Y of the block SRn is high. The SB and reset R(Rn) of the RS-FF 103 a are each supplied with a high input, so that theoutput Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 103 a becomes low. With this, the ASW 108 ais turned off, so that the conductive terminals T and U are disconnectedfrom each other. Meanwhile, electricity is conducted between the drainand source of the MOS transistor 110 a, so that the output Cn issupplied with Vssd (low output signal).

Then, at t6 where the (clock) signal CK2 from the CK2 line is low, theoutput Cn−1 becomes low. With this, the input terminal j of theselection circuit 106 a of the block SRn becomes low. Since the inputterminal j of the selection circuit 105 a remains low, the X (Sn) theblock SRn is low and the Y of the block SRn becomes low. The SB andreset R (Rn) of the RS-FF 103 a are supplied with a high input and a lowinput, respectively, so that the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 103 aremains low. With this, the ASW 108 a is turned off. Meanwhile,electricity is conducted between the source and drain of the MOStransistor 110 a, so that the output Cn continues to be supplied withVssd (low output signal).

Described next is a case where a rightward shift is made by supplyingthe LR line and the LRB line with a high shift direction signal and alow shift direction signal, respectively (a case where a shift is madefrom the block SRn−1 to the block SRd through the block SRn). Such ashift will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.17.

First, since the LR line is high and the LRB line is low, the inputterminals p and q of the selection circuit 105 a are supplied with ahigh input and a low input, respectively, so that a signal that isinputted to the input terminal i is outputted from the output terminalX. Similarly, the input terminals p and q of the selection circuit 106 aare also supplied with a high input and a low input, respectively, sothat a signal that is inputted to the input terminal i is outputted fromthe output terminal Y. Further, since the LR line is high and the LRBline is low, the SW 117 for a start pulse signal is off and the SW 118is on.

At t1, the signal CK2 becomes high, so that the output Cn−1 of the blockSRn−1 becomes high. Then, the input terminal i of the selection circuit105 a and the X (Sn) of the block SRn become high, and the inputterminal i and Y of the selection circuit 106 a become low. With this,the SB and reset R (Rn) of the RS-FF 103 a are each supplied with a lowinput, so that the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 103 a becomes high. Atthis time, the ASW 108 a is turned on, so that the output Cn is suppliedwith a low output signal from the CK1 line via the conductive terminalsT and U.

At t2, the signal CK1 becomes high, so that the output Cn of the blockSRn becomes high. Then, the input terminal i of the selection circuit105 d of the block SRd and the X (Sd) of the block SRd become high, andthe input terminal i of the selection circuit 106 d and the Y of theselection circuit 106 a become low. With this, the SB and reset R (Rd)of the RS-FF 103 d are each supplied with a low input, so that theoutput Q (Qd) of the RS-FF 103 d becomes high. At this time, the ASW 108d is turned on, so that the output Cd is supplied with a low outputsignal from the CK2 line via the conductive terminals T and U.

At t3, the signal CK2 becomes high, so that the output Cd of the blockSRd becomes high. With this, the input terminal i of the selectioncircuit 105 a of the block SRn and the X (Sn) of the block SRn are low,and the input terminal i of the selection circuit 106 d and the Y of theblock SRn are high. Therefore, the SB and reset R (Rn) of the RS-FF 103a are each supplied with a high input, so that the output Q of the RS-FF103 a becomes low. At this time, since the ASW 108 a is off, the outputCn is supplied with Vssd (low output signal) via the source and drain ofthe MOS transistor 110 a. It should be noted here that: the high outputsignal from the Y of the selection circuit 106 a is delayed by the DELAYcircuit, and then is inputted to the input terminal i of the selectioncircuit 106 d at t4.

At t4, the input terminal i of the selection circuit 105 d of the blockSRd and the X (Sd) of the block SRd become low, and the input terminal iof the selection circuit 106 d and the Y of the block SRd become high.With this, the SB and reset R (Rd) of the RS-FF 103 d are each suppliedwith a high input, so that the output Q (Qd) of the RS-FF 103 d becomeslow. At this time, since the ASW 108 d is off, the output Cd is suppliedwith Vssd (low output signal) via the source and drain of the MOStransistor 110 d.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 135093/2001 (Tokukai 2001-135093; published on May 18, 2001)

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 339984/2000 (Tokukai 2000-339984; published on Dec. 8, 2000)

[Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 307495/2001 (Tokukai 2001-307495; published on Nov. 2, 2001)

[Patent Document 4] United States Patent Application Publication No.US2003/0184512A1 (published on Oct. 2, 2003)

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, according to the conventional shift register, a flip-flop ofeach block is reset (inactivated) with use of an output of another block(another stage) or, more specifically, with use of an output of thesubsequent stage (next stage) in the shift direction such that theoutput Q (Qn−1) of the RS-FF 103 b of the block SRn−1 is reset with useof the output Cn of the block SRn and the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 103a of the block SRn is reset with use of the output Cd of the block SRd.This makes it necessary to provide a dummy block (dummy stage) such asthe block SRd. Further, this lengthens and complicates wires to beprovided between one blocks and another. This results in an increase inthe area of the circuit (or an increase in the area of a frame of apanel in which the circuit is mounted). In addition, this results in anincrease in the likelihood of physical failures such a wiring short andsignal defects such as a signal delay. Especially in cases where theshift register is arranged so as to be capable of making shifts in twodirections (from right to left and from left to right), it becomesnecessary to provide two selection circuits (105 a and 106 a of FIG. 13)in each block. Moreover, it is very complicating to wire them.

The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing problems,and it is an object of the present invention to provide a signal outputcircuit for use in a shift register which signal output circuit achievesa reduction in the area of the circuit and a simplification of wiring.

A signal output circuit of the present invention is a signal outputcircuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shift register, including:a set-reset flip-flop; and a signal generation circuit for generating anoutput signal by loading or blocking a clock signal in accordance with asignal inputted thereto, the signal generation section receiving asignal outputted from the flip-flop and the output signal fed back fromthe signal generation circuit, the output signal being fed back to areset input of the flip-flop.

The signal output circuit of the present invention may be arranged suchthat: the signal outputted from the flip-flop is a first control signal;and the signal generation circuit generates a second control signal inaccordance with the first control signal and the output signal fed backfrom the signal generation circuit, and loads or blocks the clock signalwith use of the second control signal.

With this, for example, the first control signal can be inactivated byactivating the output signal, and the second control signal can beinactivated by inactivating the output signal. This makes it possiblefor each stage to reset the first and second control signals by itself(self-reset) without receiving a reset signal from another stage.Therefore, unlike in the case of the conventional arrangement in whicheach stage is supplied with a reset signal from another stage, the dummystage can be eliminated and the number of wires between one stage andanother can be significantly reduced. This results in a reduction in thearea of the circuit (or a reduction in the area of a frame of a panel inwhich the circuit is mounted). Furthermore, it is possible to reducesignal defects such as a signal delay as well as physical failures sucha wiring short.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the second controlsignal is activated by inactivating the output signal and activating thefirst control signal.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the signalgeneration circuit includes a logic circuit to which the first controlsignal is inputted, the output signal being fed back to an input of thelogic circuit, the logic circuit outputting the second control signal.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the logic circuitis either a NOR circuit or an OR circuit.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the signalgeneration section includes a switch circuit that loads or blocks theclock signal by the second control signal.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the signalgeneration section includes a level shifter that loads or blocks theclock signal by the second control signal.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the flip-flop iscapable of initializing the first control signal on receipt of aninitialization signal so that the first control signal is inactivated.This makes it possible to prevent the flip-flop from being activated atthe time of initialization for some reason, thereby surely enablingself-reset.

The present shift register can be arranged such that at the time ofinitialization, the clock signal has a level corresponding to aninactive level of the output signal. This makes it possible to preventthe output signal from being activated at the time of initialization,thereby enabling self-reset.

The present shift register can be arranged such that at the time ofinitialization, the logic circuit receives a signal that is based on theinitialization signal. For example, when the logic circuit receives asignal that is based on the initialization signal, the second controlcircuit at the time of initialization serves as a signal for blockingthe clock signal. This makes it possible to prevent the output signalfrom being activated at the time of initialization for some reason,thereby surely enabling self-reset regardless of the level (high or low)of the clock signal.

The present shift register can be arranged such that the signal outputcircuit is capable of outputting at least either one of the first andsecond control signals in addition to the output signal. This makes itpossible to output plural types of pulse signal such single pulsesignals and double pulse signals.

Further, a signal output circuit of the present invention is a signaloutput circuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shift register,including: a set-reset flip-flop; a logic circuit; and an analog switch,the analog switch having an input terminal connected to a line via whicha clock signal is supplied, the logic circuit having a first inputterminal connected to an output terminal of the flip-flop and a secondinput terminal connected to an output terminal of the analog switch, thelogic circuit having an output terminal connected to a control terminalof the analog switch, the flip-flop having a reset input terminalconnected to the output terminal of the analog switch.

Further, a signal output circuit of the present invention is a signaloutput circuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shift register,including: a set-reset flip-flop; a logic circuit; and a level shifter,the level shifter has an input terminal connected to a line via which aclock signal is supplied, the logic circuit having a first inputterminal connected to an output terminal of the flip-flop and a secondinput terminal connected to an output terminal of the level shifter, thelogic circuit having an output terminal connected to a control terminalof the level shifter, the flip-flop having an input terminal connectedto the output terminal of the level shifter.

Further, the signal output circuit of the present invention may beprovided in a shift register of a circuit for driving a display device,the display device being driven with use of a signal obtained at leastone of the output terminal of the analog switch, the output terminal ofthe logic circuit, and the output terminal of the flip-flop.

Further, the signal output circuit of the present invention may beprovided in a shift register of a circuit for driving a display device,the display device being driven with use of a signal obtained at leastone of the output terminal of the level shifter, the output terminal ofthe logic circuit, and the output terminal of the flip-flop.

Further, a shift register of the present invention include such a signaloutput circuit as described above.

In this case, it is preferable that the signal output circuit beprovided in at least either a first stage or a last stage. Thiseliminates the need for such a dummy stage as provided in theconventional arrangement, thereby making it possible to provide a shiftregister having a small circuit area (or a small frame area when mountedin a panel). Further, the present signal output circuit may be providedin every stage. This makes it possible to achieve a significantreduction in the number of wires between one stage and another inaddition to the foregoing effect. Furthermore, by providing, in eachstage, a selection circuit for determining a shift direction, it becomespossible to make shifts in two directions. In this case, the presentsignal output circuit is capable of resetting itself, so that it is onlynecessary to provide a single selection circuit in each stage unlike inthe case of the conventional arrangement. In addition to this, it ispossible to significantly reduce wires provided between one stage andanother. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the circuit areaof a shift register capable of making shifts in two directions (or tosignificantly reduce the frame area when the shift register is mountedin a panel).

Further, a display device driving circuit of the present inventionincludes such a shift register as described above.

Further, a display device of the present invention includes such adisplay device driving circuit as described above.

An output signal generating method of the present invention is a methodfor generating an output signal by loading or blocking a clock signal ineach stage of a shift register, including the steps of: while feedingback the output signal to a reset input of a set-reset flip-flop,generating a control signal with use of a signal outputted by theflip-flop and the output signal thus fed back; and loading or blockingthe clock signal with use of the control signal.

The present output signal generating method can be arranged such thatwhereas the signal outputted by the flip-flop is inactivated byactivating the output signal, the control signal is inactivated byinactivating the output signal.

The present output signal generating method can be arranged such thatwherein the control signal is activated by activating, when the outputsignal is inactive, the signal outputted by the flip-flop.

As described above, in a signal output circuit of the present invention,a signal generation circuit receives a signal outputted from a flip-flopand an output signal fed back to the signal generation circuit, and theoutput signal is inputted to a reset of the flip-flop. This makes itpossible for each stage to reset itself (self-reset) without receiving areset signal from another stage. Therefore, unlike in the case of theconventional arrangement in which each stage is supplied with a resetsignal from another stage, the dummy stage can be eliminated and thenumber of wires between one stage and another can be significantlyreduced. This results in a reduction in the area of the circuit (or areduction in the area of a frame of a panel in which the circuit ismounted). Furthermore, it is possible to reduce signal defects such as asignal delay as well as physical failures such a wiring short.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a signal outputcircuit of the present shift register.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of the present shiftregister.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing operation of a single block of thepresent shift register.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing another arrangement of the presentshift register.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a signal outputcircuit of the present shift register.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a level shifterfor use in the signal output circuit of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing operation of the level shifter of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing operation of a single block of theshift register of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9( a) is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the signaloutput circuit that is provided in the present shift register.

FIG. 9( b) is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the signaloutput circuit that is provided in the present shift register.

FIG. 10( a) is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a selectioncircuit.

FIG. 10( b) is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of an analogswitch.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of an RS flip-flop.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a modified example of the signaloutput circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a single block of a conventionalshift register.

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of the conventionalshift register.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing operation of the single block of FIG.13.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing operation (right to left) of the shiftregister of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing operation (left to right) of the shiftregister of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a signal outputcircuit ((n−1)th stage) of the present shift register.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a signal outputcircuit ((n−2)th stage) of the present shift register.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing operation of two blocks ((n−1)th andnth stages) of the present shift register.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of the present liquidcrystal display device.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1, 2 Shift register-   3, 23 RS flip-flop-   4, 24 NOR circuit-   5, 25 Selection circuit-   8, 17, 18 Analog switch-   10, 21 MOS transistor-   12, 13, 32, 33 Inverter-   40 a Malfunction prevention circuit-   43 Phase difference detection section-   44 Waveform timing forming section-   50 to 56 N-channel MOS transistor-   57 to 63 P-channel MOS transistor-   SRB Single block of the shift register-   LS Level shifter-   SG (SGa, SGb, SGA, SGB) Signal output circuit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a liquid crystaldisplay device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21,the present liquid crystal display device 81 includes a display section79, a gate driver 78, and a source driver 80. The source driver 80 issupplied with a video signal. Further, the display section 79 has pixelsrespectively provided near nodes of a plurality of scanning signal linesand a plurality of data signal lines orthogonal to one another.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of the present shift register that isprovided in the source driver 80. As shown in FIG. 2, the present shiftregister 1 includes blocks SRB1 through SRBn−2, SRBn−1 and SRBn (unitstages of the shift register), and each of the blocks includes a signaloutput circuit SG and a selection circuit 5.

The block SRBn has a signal output circuit SGa and a selection circuit 5a, and the signal output circuit SGa includes an RS flip-flop(hereinafter referred to as “RS-FF”) 3 a, a NOR circuit 4 a, an analogswitch (hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 8 a, an N-channel MOStransistor 10 a, and two inverters 12 a and 13 a. Similarly, the blockSRBn−1 has a signal output circuit SGb and a selection circuit 5 b, andthe signal output circuit SGb includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafterreferred to as “RS-FF”) 3 b, a NOR circuit 4 b, an analog switch(hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 8 b, an N-channel MOS transistor 10b, and two inverters 12 b and 13 b (see FIG. 18). Similarly, the blockSRBn−2 has a signal output circuit SGc and a selection circuit 5 c, andthe signal output circuit SGc includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafterreferred to as “RS-FF”) 3 c, a NOR circuit 4 c, an analog switch(hereinafter referred to as “ASW”) 8 c, an N-channel MOS transistor 10c, and two inverters 12 c and 13 c (see FIG. 19).

The LR line is supplied with a shift direction signal, and the LRB lineis supplied with an inversion signal obtained by inverting the shiftdirection signal. The CK1 line is supplied with a first clock signal,and the CK2 line is supplied with a second clock signal.

The selection circuits 5 (5 a, 5 b, 5 c) is arranged, for example, asshown in FIG. 10( a). The selection circuit 5 has four input terminalsp, q, i, and j and an output terminal X. When the input terminals p andq are supplied with a high input and a low input, respectively, theinput terminal i and the output terminal X are connected to each other,so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal i is outputtedfrom the output terminal X. On the other hand, when the input terminalsp and q are supplied with a low input and a high input, respectively,the input terminal j and the output terminal X are connected to eachother, so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal j isoutputted from the output terminal X. Further, each of the ASWs 8 (8 a,8 b, 8 c) is arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. 10( b). The ASW 8is constituted by a P-channel transistor and an N-channel transistor,and includes two control terminals G and g and two conductive terminalsT and U. When the control terminal g is supplied with a high input orthe control terminal G is supplied with a low input, the two conductiveterminals T and U are connected to each other. When a gate of theN-channel MOS transistor 10 a is supplied with a high input, electricityis conducted between its source and drain. Further, each of the RS-FFs(3 a, 3 b, 3 c) is arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. 11.

Each of the inverters 12 (12 a, 12 b, 12 c) and 13 (13 a, 13 b, 13 c) isa circuit that outputs a negative logic signal obtained by amplifying apositive logic signal.

FIG. 1 shows a specific arrangement of the signal output circuit SGaprovided in the block SRBn. As shown in FIG. 1, an input S (see FIG. 2)connected to the output terminal X of the selection circuit 5 a and aninput side of the inverter 12 a are connected to each other, and anoutput of the inverter 12 a is inputted to a set bar (SB) of the RS-FF 3a. Further, the RS-FF 3 a has an output Q (Qn) connected to one input ofthe NOR circuit 4 a, and the other input of the NOR circuit 4 a isconnected to a reset input (R) of the RS-FF 3 a and a node On (output ofthe block SRBn). Further, an output (node CBn) of the NOR circuit 4 a,the control terminal G of the ASW 8 a, an input of the inverter 13 a,and the gate of the MOS transistor 10 a are connected to one another.Further, an output (node Cn) of the inverter 13 a and the controlterminal g of the ASW 8 a are connected to each other, and the source ofthe MOS transistor 10 a is connected to Vssd (low potential).Furthermore, the conductive terminal U of the ASW 8 a, the drain of theMOS transistor 10 a, OUT, and the node On (output of the block SRBn) areconnected to one another. Thus, the signal generation circuit isconstituted by the NOR circuit 4 a, the ASW 8 a, the MOS transistor 10a, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the signal output circuits SGb and SGc arearranged in the same manner as the signal output circuit SGa. Forexample, as for the signal output circuit SGb, a node Sn−1 connected tothe X terminal of the selection circuit 5 b and an input side of theinverter 12 b are connected to each other, and an output of the inverter12 b is inputted to a set bar (SB) of the RS-FF 3 b. Further, the RS-FF3 b has an output (Qn−1) connected to one input of the NOR circuit 4 b,and the other input of the NOR circuit 4 b is connected to a reset input(R) of the RS-FF 3 b and a node On−1 (output of the block SRBn−1).Further, an output (node CBn−1) of the NOR circuit 4 a, the controlterminal G of the ASW 8 b, an input of the inverter 13 b, and the gateof the MOS transistor 10 b are connected to one another. Further, anoutput (node Cn−1) of the inverter 13 b and the control terminal g ofthe ASW 8 b are connected to each other, and the source of the MOStransistor 10 b is connected to Vssd (low potential). Furthermore, theconductive terminal U of the ASW 8 b, the drain of the MOS transistor 10b, and the node On−1 (output of the block SRBn−1) are connected to oneanother.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input terminal i of the selection circuit 5 b ofthe block SRBn−1 is connected to a node On−2 (output of the blockSRBn−2), and the input terminal j of the selection circuit 5 b isconnected to the node On (output of the block SRBn). Further, the outputterminal X of the selection circuit 5 b is connected to a node Sn−1 ofthe block SRBn−1. The input terminals p and q of the selection circuit 5b are connected to the LR line and the LRB line, respectively, and theRS-FF 3 b has an INTB input connected to the INT line. Furthermore, theinput terminal i of the selection circuit 5 a of the block SRBn isconnected to the node On−1 (output of the block SRBn−1), and the inputterminal j of the selection circuit 5 a is connected to the start pulseline SP via a switch SW17. Further, the output terminal X of theselection circuit 5 a is connected to a node Sn of the block SRBn. Theinput terminals p and q of the selection circuit 5 a are connected tothe LR line and the LRB line, respectively. The RS-FF 3 a has an INTBinput connected to the INT line, and the conductive terminal T of theASW 8 a is connected to the CK (clock) 1 line.

Operation of the present shift register will be described below in viewof the arrangement of the present shift register by using FIGS. 1through 3.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the initial reset is performed regardlessof the shift direction. That is, the INTB input of each of the RS-FFs issupplied with a low input by supplying the INT line with a high INTsignal, so that the output Q of each of the RS-FFs becomes low. At thistime, since the output O of each of the blocks SRB is normally low, thenode CB becomes high and the node C becomes low, so that the conductiveterminals T and U of each of the ASWs are disconnected from each other.Since the node CB is high, each of the MOS transistors 10 remains turnedon, so that each of the outputs (On−2, On−1, On) is supplied with Vssd(low output signal). In this regard, when the output of the block SRB ishigh at the time of initialization for some reason, the node CB becomeslow, so that the conductive terminals T and U of each of the ASWsundesirably become connected. In view of this, it is preferable that theinitialization be performed when the clock signal CK is low. The signaloutput circuit can be arranged as in FIG. 12 so that the conductiveterminals T and U of each of the ASWs can be surely disconnected fromeach other at the time of initialization. That is, in case of the signaloutput circuit SGa, the arrangement of FIG. 1 is further provided withan N-channel MOS transistor 21 a whose gate is connected to the INTB viaan inverter 19 a, whose source is connected to Vssd, and whose drain isconnected to the node On. This makes it possible that the node CB ofeach of the blocks SRB is surely made high at the time ofinitialization, so that the output O can be made Vssd (low) regardlessof whether the clock signal CK is high or low.

The present shift register can make both a rightward shift and aleftward shift. That is, when the LR line and the LRB line are suppliedwith a high shift direction signal and a low shift direction signal,respectively, a rightward shift is made (i.e., a case where a shiftstarts from the block SRBn−1 and ends at the block SRBn). At this time,since the LR line is high and the LRB line is low, the input terminalsof p and q of the selection circuit 5 b are supplied with a high inputand a low input, respectively, so that a signal that is inputted to theinput terminal i is outputted from the output terminal X. Since the LRline is high and the LRB line is low, the start pulse signal switch SW17is off and a switch SW18 is on (the shift starts from the left edge).

On the other hand, when the LR line and the LRB line are supplied with alow shift direction signal and a high shift direction signal,respectively, a leftward shift is made (a shift starts from the blockSRBn and ends at the block SRB1). At this time, since the LR line is lowand the LRB line is high, the input terminals p and q of the selectioncircuit 5 b are supplied with a low input and a high input,respectively, so that a signal that is inputted to the input terminal jis outputted from the output terminal X. Since the LR line is low andthe LRB line is high, the start pulse signal switch SW17 is on and theswitch SW18 is off (the shift starts from the right edge).

Operation of the block SRBn of FIG. 2 and a method for making a shift tothe neighbor block SRBn−1 will be described below with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

First, at t0 where the output On−1 of the block SRBn−1 is low, the inputterminal i of the selection circuit 5 a becomes low, so that the outputterminal X (Sn) of the selection circuit 5 a becomes low. As a result,the SB of the RS-FF 3 a is supplied with a high input from the inverter12 a. Since the R (reset) of the RS-FF 3 a is connected to the output Onof the RS-FF 3 a, the R (reset) of the RS-FF 3 a remains low. With this,the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 3 a remains as low as heretofore. At thistime, the inputs of the NOR circuit 4 a are supplied with low inputsfrom the output Q of the RS-FF 3 a and the output On of the RS-FF 3 a,respectively, so that the output (CBn) of the NOR circuit 4 a becomeshigh. As a result, the control terminal g (Cn) becomes low and thecontrol terminal G becomes high. That is, the ASW 8 a is turned off, sothat the conductive terminals T and U are disconnected from each other.Meanwhile, the gate (CBn) of the MOS transistor 10 a becomes high, sothat electricity is conducted between the source and drain of the MOStransistor 10 a. The output On is supplied with Vssd (low outputsignal).

In cases where a rightward shift is made (i.e., in cases where the blockSRBn serves as the last stage of the shift), the input terminal i theselection circuit 5 a becomes high at t1 where the output On−1 of theblock SRBn−1 becomes high, so that the output terminal X (Sn) of theselection circuit 5 a becomes high. Alternatively, in cases where aleftward shift is made (i.e., in cases where the block SRBn serves asthe first stage of the shift), the input terminal j of the selectioncircuit 5 a become high at t1 where a high start pulse signal isinputted via the switch SW17, so that the output terminal X (Sn) of theselection circuit 5 a becomes high.

As a result, the SB of the RS-FF 3 a is supplied with a low input fromthe inverter 12 a. At this time, the R (reset) of the RS-FF 3 a remainslow. With this, the output Q of the RS-FF 3 a becomes high. At thistime, the inputs of the NOR circuit 4 a are supplied with a high inputand a low input from the output Q of the RS-FF 3 a and the output On ofthe RS-FF 3 a, respectively, so that the output (CBn) of the NOR circuit4 a becomes low. As a result, the ASW 8 a is turned on (the controlterminal g becomes high and the control terminal G becomes low), so thatthe output On is supplied with a low output signal from the CK1 line viathe conductive terminals T and U.

Then, at t2 where the output On−1 of the block SRBn−1 becomes low, theinput terminal i of the selection circuit 5 a become low, so that theoutput terminal X of the selection circuit 5 a becomes low. As a result,the SB of the RS-FF 3 a is supplied with a high input from the inverter12 a. Since the R (reset) of the RS-FF 3 a is connected to the output Onof the RS-FF 3 a, the R (reset) of the RS-FF 3 a remains low. With this,the output Q (Qn) of the RS-FF 3 a remains as high as heretofore. Atthis time, the inputs of the NOR circuit 4 a are supplied with a highinput and a low input from the output Q of the RS-FF 3 a and the outputOn of the RS-FF 3 a, respectively, so that the output of the NOR circuit4 a becomes low. As a result, the ASW 8 a remains turned on (the controlterminal g remains high and the control terminal G remains low), so thatthe output On is supplied with a low output signal from the CK1 line.

The output On becomes high at t3 where the signal CK1 becomes high.Since the output terminal X of the selection circuit 5 a remains low,the SB of the RS-FF 3 a becomes high. Further, the R of the RS-FF 3 abecomes high since it is connected to the output On. With this, theoutput Q of the RS-FF 3 a becomes low. At this time, the inputs of theNOR circuit 4 a are supplied with a low input and a high input from theoutput Q of the RS-FF 3 a and the output On of the RS-FF 3 a,respectively, the output (CBn) of the NOR circuit 4 a remains low (theASW 8 a remains turned on), so that the output On is supplied with ahigh output signal from the CK1 line.

Then, the output On becomes low at t4 where the signal CK1 becomes low.Since the output terminal X of the selection circuit 5 a also remainslow, the SB of the RS-FF 3 a becomes high. Further, the R of the SR-FF 3a becomes low since it is connected to the output On. With this, theoutput Q of the RS-FF 3 a remains as low as heretofore. At this time,the inputs of the NOR circuits 4 a are supplied with low inputs from theoutput Q of the SR-FF 3 a and the output On of the RS-FF 3 a,respectively, so that the output (CBn) of the NOR circuit 4 a becomeshigh. As a result, whereas the ASW 8 a is turned off (the controlterminal g becomes low and the control terminal G becomes high),electricity is conducted between the source and drain of the MOStransistor 10 a, so that the output On is supplied with Vssd (low outputsignal).

In cases where a leftward shift is made (i.e., in cases where the blockSRBn serves as the first stage of the shift), the input terminal j ofthe selection circuit 5 b of the block SRBn−1 is supplied with a highinput at t3 where the output On becomes high. With this, the outputterminal X (Sn−1) of the selection circuit 5 a becomes high, so that ashift to the block SRBn−1 is made. Specifically, when the outputterminal X (Sn−1) of the selection circuit 5 b becomes high, the SBn−1becomes low (active) and the Qn−1 becomes high (active). With this, oneof the inputs of the NOR circuit 4 a becomes high, and the output (CBn)of the NOR circuit 4 a becomes low. As a result, the ASW 8 b is turnedon and the clock CK starts to be loaded, so that the output On−1 becomeslow. When the clock CK becomes high and the output On−1 also becomeshigh, the Qn−1 is reset so as to be low (inactive). Meanwhile, since theoutput On−1 is high, the output CBn−1 of the NOR circuit 4 b remainslow, so that the clock CK continues to be loaded. Finally, when theclock CK becomes low and the output On−1 becomes low, the Qn−1 remainslow, so that the output CBn−1 of the NOR circuit 4 b also becomes high(inactive). With this, the ASW 8 b is turned off and the transistor 10 bis turned on, so that the output On−1 remains low.

The signal output circuit SGb (see FIG. 18) of the block SRBn−1 and thesignal output circuit SGc (see FIG. 19) of the block SRBn−2 operate inthe same manner as the signal output circuit SGa (see FIG. 1) of theblock SRBn. That is, On−1 and On−2 correspond to On. Qn−1 and Qn−2correspond to Qn. CBn−1 and CBn−2 correspond to CBn. Further, the signaloutput circuits SG may receive clock signals having identical ordifferent phases. The following shows, with reference to the timingchart of FIG. 20, how the signal output circuit SGa (block SRBn) and thesignal output circuit SGb (block SRBn−1) operate in cases where thesignal output circuits SGa and SGb receive clock signals CK (CK1 andCK2) having different phases.

As described above, each stage of the shift register according to thepresent embodiment does not receive a reset signal from another stage,and resets itself (self-reset) with use of a signal generated thereby.This makes it possible to eliminate such a dummy block as required bythe conventional technique. In addition, since each stage does not needto receive a reset signal from another stage, it is possible tosignificantly reduce the number of wires provided between the stages,and to reduce the wiring region. This results in a reduction in the areaof the circuit (or a reduction in the area of a frame of a panel inwhich the circuit is mounted). Furthermore, it is possible to reducesignal defects such as a signal delay as well as physical failures suchas a wiring short. The present embodiment is also effective when theclock signal to be shifted has a duty ratio of not more than 50%.

The present shift register can also be provided in the gate driver 78 ofFIG. 21.

The signal output circuit of FIG. 1 may be modified so as to be arrangedas shown in FIG. 9( a). That is, the ASW 8 a is replaced by amalfunction prevention circuit 40 a. The malfunction prevention circuit40 a prevents the shift register from malfunctioning even in a periodduring which a phase lag between the clock signals CK1 and CK2 causesthe clock signals CK1 and CK2 to have overlapping waveforms, i.e., to beboth high. The malfunction prevention circuit 40 a includes a phasedifference detection section 43 and a waveform timing forming section44.

The phase difference detection section 43 detects the respectivewaveforms of the clock signals CK1 and CK2, extracts such a waveformthat the clock signals CK1 and CK2 do not overlap, and generates a newclock signal (overlap eliminating clock signal) from the waveform thusextracted. Such a phase difference detection section 43 can beconstituted by a NOR circuit 42 and an inverter circuit 41, for example,as shown in FIG. 9( b).

Meanwhile, the waveform timing forming section 44, connected to the nodeCn, generates an output signal by extracting, in a period during which asignal Cn of the node Cn is high, a period during which the new clocksignal generated by the corresponding phase difference detection section43 is high, and then outputs the output signal as a signal On. Such awaveform timing forming section 44 can be constituted by a NAND circuit51 and an inverter circuit 52, for example, as shown in FIG. 9( b).

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of a shift register according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the presentshift register 2 includes blocks SRB1 through SRBn−2, SRBn−1, and SRBn,each of which includes a signal output circuit SG and a selectioncircuit 25.

The block SRBn has a signal output circuit SGA and a selection circuit25 a. The signal output circuit SGA includes an RS flip-flop(hereinafter referred to as “RS-FF”) 23 a, a level shifter LSa, a NORcircuit 24 a, and two inverters 32 a and 33 a. Similarly, the blockSRBn−1 has a signal output circuit SGB and a selection circuit 25 b. Thesignal output circuit SGB includes an RS flip-flop (hereinafter referredto as “RS-FF”) 23 b, a level shifter LSb, a NOR circuit 24 b, and twoinverters 32 b and 33 b. Similarly, the block SRBn−2 has a signal outputcircuit SGC and a selection circuit 25 c. The signal output circuit SGBincludes an RS flip-flop (hereinafter referred to as “RS-FF”) 23 c, alevel shifter LSc, a NOR circuit 24 c, and two inverters 32 c and 33 c.

The LR line is supplied with a shift direction signal, and the LRB lineis supplied with an inversion signal obtained by inverting the shiftdirection signal. The CK1 line is supplied with a first clock signal,and the CK2 line is supplied with a second clock signal.

Each of the level shifters LS (LSa, LSb, LSc) is arranged as shown inFIG. 6. That is, the level shifter LS includes N-channel MOS transistors51 to 56 and P-channel MOS transistors 57 to 63. It should be noted herethat an input (EN terminal), a gate of the transistor 51, a gate of thetransistor 57, a gate of the transistor 55, a gate of the transistor 61,and a gate of the transistor 60 are connected to one another. Further, asource of the transistor 51 is connected to CKB, and a drain of thetransistor 51, a drain of the transistor 57, a gate of the transistor58, and a node B are connected to one another. Further, a drain of thetransistor 58, a drain of the transistor 52, a gate of the transistor52, and a gate of the transistor 53 are connected to one another. Asource of the transistor 52, a drain of the transistor 54, and a sourceof the transistor 53 are connected to one another. Further, a drain ofthe transistor 53, a node A, a drain of the transistor 59, a drain ofthe transistor 61, a drain of the transistor 62, a gate of thetransistor 63, and a gate of the transistor 56 are connected to oneanother. Further, a source of the transistor 57, a source of thetransistor 60, a source of the transistor 61, a source of the transistor62, and a source of the transistor 63 are connected to Vdd (high).Further, a source of the transistor 54 and a source of the transistor 56are connected to Vssd (low). Further, a source of the transistor 58 anda source of the transistor 59 are connected to each other so as to beconnected to Vdd (high). Further, a gate of the transistor 59, a node C,a drain of the transistor 60, and a drain of the transistor 55 areconnected to one another. Further, a source of the transistor 55 isconnected to CK, and a gate of the transistor 62 is connected to INTB. Adrain of the transistor 63, a drain of the transistor 56, and OUT areconnected to one another.

The selection circuit 25 (25 a, 25 b, 25 c) is identical in arrangementand function to the selection circuit 5. Further, the inverter 32 (32 a,32 b, 32 c) and the inverter 33 (33 a, 33 b, 33 c) are identical to theinverters 12 and 13.

FIG. 5 shows a specific arrangement of the signal output circuit SGAprovided in the block SRBn. As shown in FIG. 5, a node Sn connected toan X terminal of the selection circuit 25 a and an input side of theinverter 32 a are connected to each other, and an output of the inverter32 a is inputted to a set bar (SB) of the RS-FF 23 a. Further, an outputQ (Qn) of the RS-FF 23 a is inputted to one input of the NOR circuit 24a, and the other input of the NOR circuit 24 a, a reset input (R) of theRS-FF 23 a, and a node On (output of the block SRBn) connected to OUT ofthe level shifter LSa are connected to one another. Further, an outputof the NOR circuit 24 a is connected to an input side of the inverter 33a, and an output side of the inverter 33 a is connected to an input (ENterminal) of the level shifter LSa.

It should be noted that the signal output circuits SGB and SGC arearranged in the same manner as the signal output circuit SGA. Forexample, as for the signal output circuit SGB, a node Sn−1 connected toan X terminal of the selection circuit 25 b and an input side of theinverter 32 b are connected to each other, and an output of the inverter32 b is inputted to a set bar (SB) of the RS-FF 23 b. Further, an output(Q) of the RS-FF 23 b is inputted to one input of the NOR circuit 24 b,and the other input of the NOR circuit 24 b, a reset input (R) of theRS-FF 23 b, and a node On−1 (output of the block SRBn−1) connected toOUT of the level shifter LSb are connected to one another. Further, anoutput of the NOR circuit 24 b is connected to an input side of theinverter 33 b, and an output side of the inverter 33 b is connected toan input (EN terminal) of the level shifter LSb.

As shown in FIG. 4, the selection circuit 25 b of the block SRBn−1 hasan input terminal i connected to a node On−2 (output of the blockSRBn−2), and has an input terminal j connected to the node On (output ofthe block SRBn). Further, the selection circuit 25 b has an outputterminal X connected to a node Sn−1 of the block SRBn−1. The selectioncircuit 25 b has input terminals p and q respectively connected to theLR line and the LRB line, and the level shifter LSn−1 has an INTB input,a CK input, and a CKB input respectively connected to the INT line, theCK line, and the CKB line.

Furthermore, the selection circuit 25 a of the block SRBn has an inputterminal i connected to the node On−1 (output of the block SRBn−1), andhas an input terminal j connected to a start pulse line SP via a switchSW37. Further, the selection circuit 25 a has an output terminal Xconnected to a node Sn of the block SRBn. The selection circuit 25 a hasinput terminals p and q respectively connected to the LR line and theLRB line, and the level shifter LSn has an INTB input, a CK input, and aCKB input respectively connected to the INT line, the CK line, and theCKB line.

The level shifter LS (LSa, LSb) of FIG. 6 operates as shown in FIG. 7.That is, when the EN terminal receives a high input, the level shifterLS outputs a CK signal whose level has been shifted. When the ENterminal receives a low input, the level shifter LS produces a lowoutput. When the INTB input receives a low input, the level shifter LSproduces a low output.

In cases where the EN terminal is low, the P-channel transistors 57, 60,and 61 of FIG. 6 are turned on, whereas the N-channel transistors 54,51, and 55 of FIG. 6 are turned off. As a result, the potential of thenode A becomes Vdd (high), and the potential of the output OUT becomesVssd (low).

In cases where the EN terminal is high, the P-channel transistors 57,60, and 61 of FIG. 6 are turned off, whereas the N-channel transistors54, 51, and 55 of FIG. 6 are turned on. As a result, the node B has thepotential of the CKB input, and the node C has the potential of the CKinput.

In cases where the CKB input is high and the CK input is low, thecurrent of the P-channel transistor 58 is limited. Then, the P-channeltransistor 59 is turned on, so that a current flows through thetransistor 59. Therefore, the potential of the node A is increased. Thiscauses the output OUT to become Vssd (low).

On the other hand, in cases where the CKB input is low and the CK inputis high, the current of the transistor 58 is not limited since thetransistor 58 is on. Further, the current of the P-channel transistor 59is limited. Therefore, the potential of the node A is decreased. Thiscauses the output OUT to become Vdd (high).

With this, the signal output circuit SGA (see FIG. 5) operates in thefollowing manner.

When the node Sn is supplied with a high input, the SB of the RS-FF 23 ais supplied with a low input. With this, the output Q (Qn) becomes high.It should be noted here that the signal Qn, the signal On of the node On(output of the block SRBn), a signal NORn serving as the NOR (output ofthe NOR circuit 24 a) of the signal Qn and of the signal On, and theoutput Cn (inversion signal obtained by inverting the signal NORn) ofthe inverter 33 a are related to one another in the following manner.

That is, in cases where the signal Qn and the signal On are low, thesignal NORn is high and the output Cn is low. In cases where the signalQn is low and the signal On is high, the signal NORn is low and theoutput Cn is high. In cases where the signal Qn is high and the signalOn is low, the signal NORn is low and the output Cn is high. In caseswhere the signal Qn and the signal On are high, the signal NORn is lowand the output Cn is high.

Operation of the block SRBn (see FIG. 4) will be described below withreference to the timing chart of FIG. 8.

First, at t0 where the default setting is configured so that a high INTsignal is inputted, the output signal Qn of the RS-FF 23 a and theoutput signal On of the level shifter LS are low (initialization).

At t1 where the output signals Qn and On are low, the signal NORn ishigh and the output Cn is low. Since the output Cn is inputted as asignal EN to the level shifter LSn, the signal EN becomes low.Therefore, the output signal On is low regardless of whether the CK andCKB inputs are high or low.

At t2 where the output Sn becomes high, the SB of the RS-FF 23 a issupplied with a low input, so that the output signal Qn becomes high.Therefore, the output signal Qn is high and the output signal On is low,so that the signal NORn becomes low and the output Cn becomes high. TheEN terminal of the level shifter LSn becomes high when the output Cn ishigh. Moreover, in cases where the EN terminal is high, the CK signal isoutputted as the output signal On. That is, in cases where the CK inputis low and the CKB input is high, the output signal On becomes low. Ofcourse, the output signal On becomes high when the CK input is high andthe CKB input is low.

The node On is connected to the reset (R) of the RS-FF 23 a. Therefore,when the R (reset) of the RS-FF 23 a is supplied with a high input at t3where the output signal On becomes high, the output signal Qn becomeslow. Since the output signal On is high, the signal NORn is low and theoutput Cn is high. Since the output Cn is high, the EN terminal of thelevel shifter LS remains high (continues to be supplied with the CKinput).

Therefore, at t4 where the CK input becomes low (the CKB input becomeshigh), the output signal On becomes low in accordance with the CK input.At this time, the output signal Qn is low and the output signal Onbecomes low, so that the signal NORn becomes high and the output Cnbecomes low. Therefore, the EN terminal of the level shift LSn becomeshigh, so that the output signal On becomes low regardless of whether theCK and CKB inputs are high or low.

Thus, the present shift register can reset itself by using a signal ofits own without requiring a signal of another stage. This makes itpossible to eliminate such a dummy circuit as required by theconventional technique. In addition, since the present shift registerdoes not need to receive a reset signal from another stage, it ispossible to significantly reduce the number of wires provided betweenthe stages, and to reduce the wiring region. This results in a reductionin the area of the circuit (or a reduction in the area of a frame of apanel in which the circuit is mounted). Furthermore, it is possible toreduce signal defects such as a signal delay as well as physicalfailures such a wiring short.

Furthermore, the signals Oi (i=1, 2 . . . n−1, n) and the signals Ci(i=1, 2 . . . n−1, n) can be used respectively as single pulse signalsand double pulse signals to control charging of bus lines (data signallines and scanning signal lines). Further, the signals Qi (i=1, 2 . . .n−1, n) can be used as signals to control charging of the bus lines.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A signal output circuit of the present invention can be applied to acircuit (shift register) for driving a display device such as a liquidcrystal display device.

1. A signal output circuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shiftregister, comprising: a set-reset flip-flop; and a signal generationcircuit to generate an output signal by loading or blocking a clocksignal in accordance with a signal inputted thereto, the signalgeneration circuit receiving a signal outputted from the flip-flop andthe output signal fed back from the signal generation circuit, theoutput signal being fed back to a reset input of the flip-flop.
 2. Thesignal output circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the signaloutputted from the flip-flop is a first control signal; and the signalgeneration circuit generates a second control signal in accordance withthe first control signal and the output signal fed back from the signalgeneration circuit, and loads or blocks the clock signal with use of thesecond control signal.
 3. The signal output circuit as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the first control signal is inactivated by activatingthe output signal and the second control signal is inactivated byinactivating the output signal.
 4. The signal output circuit as setforth in claim 2, wherein the second control signal is activated byinactivating the output signal and activating the first control signal.5. The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signalgeneration circuit includes a logic circuit to which the first controlsignal is inputted, the output signal being fed back to an input of thelogic circuit, the logic circuit outputting the second control signal.6. The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the logiccircuit is either a NOR circuit or an OR circuit.
 7. The signal outputcircuit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the signal generation circuitincludes a switch circuit that loads or blocks the clock signal by thesecond control signal.
 8. The signal output circuit as set forth inclaim 5, wherein the signal generation circuit includes a level shifterthat loads or blocks the clock signal by the second control signal. 9.The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 5, wherein the flip-flopis capable of initializing the first control signal on receipt of aninitialization signal so that the first control signal is inactivated.10. The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 9, wherein at thetime of initialization, the clock signal has a level corresponding to aninactive level of the output signal.
 11. The signal output circuit asset forth in claim 9, wherein at the time of initialization, the logiccircuit receives a signal that is based on the initialization signal.12. The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 2, wherein thesignal output circuit is capable of outputting at least either one ofthe first and second control signals in addition to the output signal.13. A signal output circuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shiftregister, comprising: a set-reset flip-flop; a logic circuit; and ananalog switch, the analog switch having an input terminal connected to aline via which a clock signal is supplied, the logic circuit having afirst input terminal connected to an output terminal of the flip-flopand a second input terminal connected to an output terminal of theanalog switch, the logic circuit having an output terminal connected toa control terminal of the analog switch, the flip-flop having a resetinput terminal connected to the output terminal of the analog switch.14. A signal output circuit that is provided in a unit stage of a shiftregister, comprising: a set-reset flip-flop; a logic circuit; and alevel shifter, the level shifter has an input terminal connected to aline via which a clock signal is supplied, the logic circuit having afirst input terminal connected to an output terminal of the flip-flopand a second input terminal connected to an output terminal of the levelshifter, the logic circuit having an output terminal connected to acontrol terminal of the level shifter, the flip-flop having an inputterminal connected to the output terminal of the level shifter.
 15. Thesignal output circuit as set forth in claim 13, wherein: the signaloutput circuit is provided in a shift register of a circuit for drivinga display device, the display device being driven with use of a signalobtained at at least one of the output terminal of the analog switch,the output terminal of the logic circuit, and the output terminal of theflip-flop.
 16. The signal output circuit as set forth in claim 14,wherein: the signal output circuit is provided in a shift register of acircuit for driving a display device, the display device being drivenwith use of a signal obtained at at least one of the output terminal ofthe level shifter, the output terminal of the logic circuit, and theoutput terminal of the flip-flop.
 17. A method for generating an outputsignal in each unit stage of a shift register, each unit stage includinga set-reset flip-flop, the method comprising the steps of: while feedingback the output signal to a reset input of the set-reset flip-flop,generating a control signal with use of a signal outputted by theflip-flop and the output signal thus fed back; and loading or blocking aclock signal with use of the control signal.
 18. The method as set forthin claim 17, wherein whereas the signal outputted by the flip-flop isinactivated by activating the output signal, the control signal isinactivated by inactivating the output signal.
 19. The method as setforth in claim 17, wherein the control signal is activated byactivating, when the output signal is inactive, the signal outputted bythe flip-flop.
 20. A shift register comprising a signal output circuitas set forth in claim
 1. 21. The shift register as set forth in claim20, wherein the signal output circuit is provided in at least either afirst stage or a last stage.
 22. The shift register as set forth inclaim 20, further comprising, in each stage, a selection circuit fordetermining a shift direction, wherein the shift register is capable ofmaking shifts in two directions.
 23. A display device driving circuitcomprising a shift register as set forth in claim
 20. 24. A displaydevice comprising a display device driving circuit as set forth in claim23.